Training device for crippled children



Dec. 22,1953 T, M. CURLEY 2,663,376

TRAINING DEVICE FOR CRIPPLED, CHILDREN Filed Dec. 24 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet1 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 5? T. M. CURLEY 2,663,376

TRAINING DEVICE FOR CRIPPLED CHILDREN Filed Dec. 24, 1952 v .2 sheet sshee't 2 FIG. 2.

II)" III 26 L V I i 32 cg i FIG. 3.

' v YINVENTOR MM. 6M6 BY fM ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 22, 1953 TRAININGDEVICE FOR eRiPPLE-D GHILDREN Todd Curley, Mahanoy City, Pa. ApplicationDecember 24, 1952. serial No; 327,752

Claims.

'This' invention relates to a training dev-ice for crippled childrenparticularly those .who are aiflicated with cerebral palsy or similardisability. It is intended primarily for use'of those children who havelower extremity disability, resulting from congential traumatic ormental defect in the age group of five years and upward.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a vehicular formof training device which will-accomplish gradual training of atrophiclimbs while relieving the parent or other attendant of the burden ofcarrying the child anddaily massage treatment, The conveyance ofvehicular device provided by this invention makes it pos- V sible to getthe palsied child out or bed and into an upright position therebypromoting a ready adaptation-of the child to normal muscular move mentsof the body. Progressive training of the deficient limbs then follows ina simple manner whichis entertaining to the child. 7

It is afurther object of the invention to provide a vehicular type oftraining device having the featuresof a perinabulator, velocipede andexercising inaehi'ne combined. It provides an adequate conveyance forthe palsied or physically disabled child, exercise of the mus les of theand lower extremities, 'par'ti'cu fly ean, liaiifistrifigs and anteriorthigh muscles, combined transportation and active exercise of the lowerhalf of the bodyof thechild, and enter= tain'ment for the child either-indoors'o'r out.

A particular objector the invention resides in the rovision of awheel=su ported onassis frame having" an upwardly extending centralframework supporting in operative relation a seat,- a leg separatingand-guiding member formed and arranged to be'engaged by major portionsof the inner sides of the childs legs. rotating pedals having means forsecurin the feet iii-responsive following engagement; and driving meanseonn'ected between the pedal and a wheel of the chassis for producingrotation of the edals in response to movement of the training "device.

A further object is to provide in a vehicular type device of thecharacter described a rigid handle bar arranged in cooperative relationto the leg separating and guiding member and a seat grasping and holdingthe child as a means of further support.

An additional and specific feature of the invention is the provision ofalternative electric motor driving means permitting full use of theexercising functions without conveyance, when only a limited amount ofspace is available or conditions do not permit outdoor use. H

These and other beneficial objects and tea 2 tu'res contributingtomaximum utility and con veni'e'n'ce in use will be more fullyunderstood from thefoll'owing detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention, when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side perspective view of the vehicular time training deviceshowing a child being con; veyed and exercised;

Fig. -2 is a side elevation of the training device of Fig. 1, partiallysectioned;

Fig". 3 is a top plan view ofthe training device as seen in Fig. 2; and

Fig. dis a partial-across-sectional view-of the rear end portion of thetraining device takenon line 4 -4 of Fig.2.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings a chassis H! of rectangular outlineand. tubular frame constructionis shown to have a front bar l2, oppositeside bars I 4 and an upwardly arched rear transverse bar l6. Themeetings 01' the rear transverse bar It with the rear ends of the sidebars l4r-provid e downward and. rearward extensions, I8, I8 at each sideof the frame. p 7

An axle shaft 20 passes through and is rotatably supported in therearward extensions] 8 l8. A large, rubber-tired wheel ZZ is mounted oneach outwardly extending end of the axle shaft 20 as best shown in Ffigl. I

I At the -front of the chassis frame l0 small swiveled wheels or castersare mounted for caster ing rotation in socket formations 2.6, 26 at eachcorner by means of vertical swivel shafts :28. Each socket formation 26includes a rearwardly extending brace plate 30 of integral constructionsecured also to the respective side bar A bumper bar 32 extends beyondthe wheels or casters 24 at the "front end and maybe used as a means forpulling the training device. U

Above the chassis frame l '0 an arched central frameworl 34, comprisinglipper and lower up; warciy a c ed bars 36 and 33, has the rearward ends\o'f'the bars integra ly oined at 4o with the center 'ofthe reariramebar l6. similar man: nor the forward ends or arched bars 36 and 38 areintegrally joined at 42 to a forward trans verse bar 44 extendingbetween plates 30, 30

(Fig. i). a I

A rigid and preferably non-turning steering ost 46 has its lower endsecured to the transverse bar 44 and passes upwardly through the centralframework bars 38 and 36 to terminate at its upper end in the form ofawheel'or hanwheel steering bar 48.

A Vertical hanger bar it of tubular form bridges'the riiidportions ofthe framework bar's 36 and 38 rearwardly of the steerin post 46 andterminates on a level with the side bars it in a bearing formation (notshown) rotatably receiving and supporting a pedal crank 52 provided ateach end with a pedal 54 rotatably mounted thereon. It is essential tothe purposes of this invention that the pedals 54 be provided witheasily attachable and detachable foot-securing means, which may take theform of the snap-on instep straps 56 shown best in Fig. 1. Where it isdesired to provide longitudinal adjustment of the position of the pedalcrank 52 to accommodate growth in the crippled child, previously knownmeans such as the clamps and slides of E. J. Weller, Jr., Patent No.2,311,42 may be used.

It will be noted that a large pulley wheel or sheave 58 is mounted onone side of the pedal crank 52 inwardly of the pedal 55: 1. Anotherpulley wheel or sheave Bil, preferably smaller than wheel 58, is securedcentrally on axle shaft for rotation therewith. The pulley wheels 58 and60 are connected in driving relation by a flexible pulley belt 62. Inthis manner the pedal crank 52 carrying the pedal and foot securingmeans 54 and 56 is caused to turn in response to movement of thetraining device over a sup porting surface.

It will now be observed that a large, rectan gular and padded seat 64having side frames 66, 66 is carried on a rearwardly extending seat post68 mounted on the upper frame bar 36 by passage therethrough andsecuring by a bolt it extending through the bar and the post, asindicated in Fig. 2. A clamp 72 on the bottom of the seat 64 engages ahorizontally extending portion of the post 68 in a detachable manner. Aback frame 14 for the forwardly facing seat 64 is provided by means ofan inverted, U-shaped tubular member including lower ends, l8, 76 joinedintegrally with rear end portions of side frames I4, M. A padded seatback 18 is mounted on the front of back frame 14 by the conventionalmeans indicated and rests on the rear edge portion of seat 64. The seatconstruction thus provided affords a full back and head rest for thechild user, lateral support for the hips, and freedom for the intendedup and down movement of the knees and legs.

If desired, a pushing and guiding frame 89, also of inverted U-shape andhaving a rearwardly accessible horizontal hand rail portion 82 may bemounted on the chassis frame it and braced by central junctures 84 withthe legs of the back frame 14, and integral end junctures 86 with therespective side frames I4.

One of the most important parts of the training device is a verticalknee guide or center element 88 having the preferred configuration andrelative disposition best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. This legseparating and guiding member 88 may be formed of suihciently stiffsheet metal having the upper framework bar 3t passing lengthwisetherethrough for mounting and support at its upper end portions, and thelower framework bar 38 similarly passing through the bottom portion ofreduced length. Further anchoring and. securing in operative relation ofthe leg guiding member 88 is obtained by the passage through the bottomthereof of the lower end of the crank hanger rod 50. Figs. 2 and 3further show the forwardly diverging, generally triangular outline ofthe convex top and body of the guide member 88, and the notching of therearward portion thereof to receive the forward edge portion of the seat64. The steering bar 48 overlies the central portion of the guide member88 and its steering post 46 passes through the arched central framework34 a short distance in advance of the guide member.

In order to give the training device of this invention even greaterutility it may be provided with means for rotating the pedal crank 52and pedals 54 without the necessity for movement of the wheel deviceover a supporting surface. For this purpose an auxiliary crank drivingpulley 92 is secured on the axle shaft 26 within the frame Ill andadjacent one wheel 22. A flexible belt 94 extends over the auxiliarypulley 92 and onto a drive pulley 96 mounted thereabove on the shaft ofa horizontally extending electric motor 98, shown best in Fig. 4. Themotor 93 is secured to the rear transverse bar l6 by strap means 106,and to the rear end of the upper arched bar 36 by strap means I02. Arelatively small diameter is used for the drive pulley 96 on the motorshaft in order to provide a reduction ratio.

A supporting belt or strap I04 is passed aroun the upper end portions ofthe back frame M in a position to extend across the chest under the armsof a child user to provide additional support and maintenance of adesired position. The use of the supporting belt N14 is shown clearly inFig. 1. Where desired a framework basket D or other article carryingmeans may be mounted on the pushing frame 86 for the convenience of theperson attending the child on the street.

The operation of the training device of this invention may be summarizedby reference to Fig. 1 showing a child using the same. This childsupported by the padded seat 64, the side frames 56, and the extendedand cushioned rearwardly inclined back frame 14, is held in place by thestrap or harness I04 extending under the armpits. The legs are disposedon the opposite sides of the guiding member 88 with the hands graspingthe non-turning steering bar 48 and the feet secured to the pedals 54 bythe detachable straps 56. When the device is pushed over a supportingsurface, turning of the axle shaft 20 with the rear wheels 22 will causethe pulley 60 to drive the belt 62 and thus turn the larger pulley 58 onthe pedal crank 52. This in turn will produce up and down movement ofthe legs and knees in response to turning of the crank 52 and asaccommodated by the rotating pedals, and thus exercise the lower legstructure and the upper limb portion of each leg. The size,configuration and arrangement of the center member 88 is such as tomaintain separation of the legs while at the same time comfortablysupporting and guiding them in their up and down movement. The smallswiveling front wheels 24 make steering of the vehicular device easywithout other provision for turning means.

When the training device is to be used in a stationary position, allthat is necessary is to elevate the rear portion of the frame H3 byblocks or other secure means so that the wheels 22 and axle 25 may turnfreely. The drive is then shifted to the electric motor 98 and pulleys92 and 96, by connection of the motor to an electric source.

Use of this training device under all conditions has adequatelydemonstrated that from a physiotherapeutic standpoint it is the answerto the need for an all purpose vehicle that will provide exercise withpleasure for the cerebral palsied 5 ,child, and convenience for hisparentslor other attendants. p I t While a preferred embodiment 0f:theinvention 'has been shown anddescribed in full detail, itwillbe'understood by those skilled in'the-art that numerous changes maybe made in details of construction and arrangement of parts withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention and the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus-described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patentiof the United States-is:

1. A training devicev for crippledchildren, comprising a chassis frame,a pair of swivel mounted wheels'mounted on the front end of the chassisframe, a shaft rotatably mounted across the rear end of the chassisframe, a 'wheel mounted'on each end of the shaft for rotation therewith,an upstanding frame extending medially of and joined by its end portionsto the front and rear ends of the chassis frame, a frame memberdepending from the midportion of the underside of the central frame, apedal crank rotatably mounted in the depending frame member, a pedalincluding foot securing means rotatably mounted on each end of the pedalcrank, a forwardly extending seat mounted on the upper rear portion ofthe central frame, a leg separating and guiding member extending alongthe midportion of the central frame and rearwardly of the pedal crank toadjacent the front edge of the seat, a fixed handle bar member securedto the forward end portion of the central frame and arranged above theleg separating and guiding member in advance of the seat, and drivingmeans connected between the pedal crank and. the Wheel shaft rotatingthe pedal crank in response to movement of the training device over asupporting surface.

2. A training device for crippled children, comprising a generallyrectangular chassis frame, a pair of swivel mounted wheels mounted onthe corner portions of the front end of the chassis frame, a shaftrotatably mounted across the rear end of the chassis frame, a wheelmounted on each end of the shaft for rotation therewith, an upwardlyarched central frame extending medially of and joined by its endportions to the front and rear ends of the chassis frame, a frame memberdepending from the midportion of the underside of the arched centralframe, a pedal crank rotatably mounted in the depending frame member, apedal including foot securing means rotatably mounted on each end of thepedal crank, a seat post secured in the upper rear portion of thecentral frame, a forwardly extending seat mounted on the seat post, aleg separating and guiding member extending along the midportion of thecentral frame and rearwardly of the pedal crank to adjacent the frontedge of the seat, a fixed handle bar member secured to the forward endportion of the central frame and arranged above the leg separating andguiding member in advance of the seat, a pulley wheel secured on thepedal crank, a drive pulley secured on the rear end shaft, and a beltconnecting the pulleys.

3. A training device for crippled children, comprising a generallyrectangular chassis frame, a pair of swivel mounted wheels mounted onthe corner portions of the front end of the chassis frame, a shaftrotatably mounted across the rear end of the chassis frame, a wheelmounted on each end of the shaft for rotation therewith, an upwardlyarched central frame extending medially of and joined by its endportions to the front and rear ends of the chassis frame, a frame memherdepending from the midportion of theundere side of the arched centralframe, .a pedal'crank rotatably mounted in the depnding frame-mem-v ber,a pedal-including foot securing meansfirotat ably mounted on each end ofthe pedal cranlgaa seat 'post secured in the upper rear portion .of thecentral frame, a forwardly extending seat mounted on the seat post, aleg separating and guiding :member extending along the midportion ofthe-central frame and rearwardly .of thegpedal crank to ,adjacentthefront edge of the seat, a fixed handle bar member secured to the forwardend portion of the central :frame and arranged above the leg separatingandguiding member'rln advance of the seat, a pulley wheel secured on thepedal crank, a drive pulley secured .on the rear end shaft, a beltconnecting the pulleys, an electric motor mounted on therear .end of thechassis frame, said motor having a drive shaft pulley, an auxiliarypulley on the rear end shaft, and an auxiliary belt connecting the driveshaft pulley and the auxiliary pulley, whereby the electric motor willrotate the pedal crank when the rear wheels are elevated above thesupporting surface.

4. A vehicular type training device, comprising a wheel-supportedchassis frame, an upwardly and longitudinally extending centralframework rigidly secured to the chassis frame, a forwardly facing seatmounted above the rearward portion of the central framework, avertically disposed leg separating and guiding member mounted on thecentral framework and constructed and arranged to extend longitudinallyforward as a continuation of the seat and downwardly for engagement bythe respective major portions of the inner sides of a user's legs, apedal crank supported rotatably at the lower side of the centralframework forwardly of the seat and beneath the leg-engaged portions ofthe guiding member, a pedal including foot securing means rotatablymounted on each end of the pedal crank, and driving means connectedbetween the pedal crank and a wheel of the chassis frame rotating thepedal crank in response to movement of the training device over asupporting surface.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which the leg separating and guidingmember has spaced lateral sides diverging in a forward direction inadvance of the seat.

6. The combination of claim 4 in which a fixed handle bar is mountedabove the leg separating and guiding member in a longitudinal positionapproximating that of the pedal crank.

'7. A vehicular type of training device for crippled children,comprising a wheel-supported chassis frame, an upright frameworkextending above the chassis frame, a forwardly facing seat mounted onthe framework above and centrally of the chassis frame, a longitudinalleg separating and guiding member mounted centrally on the framework andextending downwardly in advance of the front of the seat, a pedal crankhaving a rotatable pedal on each end and supported rotatably by theframework below the leg separating and guiding member in a position tobe engaged by the feet of a. child occupying the seat, foot securingmeans on each pedal, and driving means connected between the pedal crankand a wheel of the chassis rotating the pedal crank in response tomovement of the training device over a supporting surface.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which the seat is generally rectangularand has side supports,

and a back construction adapted to support the back and head of a childextends upwardly at the rear of the seat.

9. A vehicular type of ,training device for crippled children,comprising a wheel-supported chassis frame, an upright frameworkextending above the chassis frame, a forwardly facing seat mounted onthe framework above and centrally of the chassis frame, a longitudinalleg separating and guiding member mounted centrally on the framework andextending downwardly in advance of the front of the seat, a fixed handlebar mounted above the leg separating and guiding member for engagementby the hands of a child occupying the seat, a pedal crank having arotatable pedal on each end and supported rotatably by the frameworkbelow the leg separating and guiding member in a position to be engagedby the feet of a child occupying the seat, foot securing means on eachpedal, and driving means connected between the pedal crank and a Wheelof the chassis rotating the pedal crank in response to movement of thetraining device over a supporting surface.

10. The combination of claim 9 in which the seat has a back constructionadapted to support the back and head of a child extending upwardly atthe rear of the seat.

TODD M. CURLEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName 7 Date 2,530,544 Schwantes Nov. 21, 1950 2,591,912 Block Apr. 8,1952

